Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following reply, during his stay in the U.S., to a journalist’s question regarding the report issued by the Future of Europe group of 11 EU Foreign Ministers, which was formed on 20 March 2012, on the initiative of German Foreign Minister Westerwelle:
“The future of Europe is the affair of all of Europe’s peoples, because it concerns them directly, particularly at a time of social crisis and widespread turmoil in the region of North Africa and the Middle East.
Above all, it concerns the Greek people, who are the first victims of this crisis, and Greece, which is in the troubled Mediterranean region.
Any initiative, whatever its source – and particularly when it comes from the Foreign Minister of what is currently the most important country in Europe – is welcome, because it contributes to thoughts on the way out of the crisis and further integration of the long-term structure of the governance of the Union.
Of course, the German chancellor hastened to note that she does not regard this text as representing the official positions of the German government, with the same holding true for the other members of the initiative.
Greece was not invited at that time to participate in this initiative. Its participation in the core thinking on the Europe of tomorrow could have only positive effects.
I requested that the competent department at the Ministry look at this, and they have prepared an assessment of the proposals made by this initiative, and I will discuss the matter with my German counterpart at our next meeting.
Greece must be present everywhere.”
September 21, 2012